Clownburner

Hey, it seems like lately the bling-bling is more important to a lot of people than anything else when buying a rig. It's nice to think that modern harness and container design have progressed to such a level that any container is built and tested well enough to keep you alive, so the priority has shifted to who has the most pimp-a-licious rig. But I'm not so sure that's the case... 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Bwa-hahahahaha! That was hilarious! Thanks for making my afternoon! 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

It would also seem that if a fool-hardy but fashion-savvy user really wanted to, and could find a master rigger to help, he/she could remove the hardware from their rig, have it color-coated, and re-attach it to the rig. I don't think I'd sign up, but I'm sure a few people here would... 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

I like the idea, but how many fatalities are caused by hip-ring failures? 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Looks down to me at the moment.... 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Ok, apparently I was misinformed, then. I suppose that means that manufacturers don't let you demo reserve parachutes. Makes it hard to choose then, doesn't it? I would think introducing a new reserve parachute is pretty difficult then, as you have only the TSO certs to prove the darn thing works. I know personally I wouldn't want to bet on a new reserve design no one has jumped. I'm not even thrilled with the idea of not being able to test the actual reserve I'm jumping with. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Interesting. So, can you demo a reserve canopy? I know the FAA allows one 'familiarization' jump of a reserve as a main and still have it packed as a reserve. Do the manufacturers allow for demos? 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

I read it, and re-read it a lot, it's very helpful. Thanks. It's still a little frustrating to not get it from your instructors though. At this point, I'm just following the curriculum and planning on booking canopy control school immediately after my license jump. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

I'd actually be interested in seeing that list, if you have access to it. It'd be very interesting, I think, to see what they consider 'hp eliptical' 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Great site! My only suggestion would be to incorporate a slimmed-down-graphics version for use with Palm's and similar hand-held computers. I'd be happy to help with that if you need it; just PM me. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Yes, it'd be hard to be one of the first people to carry a new reserve chute ... 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

I'm mainly looking for 'smaller pack volume' not 'cheaper.' But if it's just that the PD's are bigger (named smaller) than their actual size, it could be that I'm tilting at windmills here. I suppose if I'm going to get stuck with a custom container anyway (owing to my wierd dimensions), I can just have them size it for the big-fat-PD and live with it. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Since the tempo isn't being made anymore , are there good alternatives? What about the new Aerodyne Smart reserve? Has anyone tried 'em yet? Can you demo reserves somehow? I know the PDR is a perennial favorite, but I'd like a big-ole-honkin reserve canopy and the PDR seems to pack so large that it'll be hard to fit in a container sized for my main. It's always an option (and a good one), but the Tempo was well liked by a lot of people with many chops and it seems a shame to lose it to the tempestuous winds of skydiving equipment manufacturers. TIA 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Here's a nice video of one. ftp://ftp.skydivingmovies.com/public/misc/mr_bill.mpeg 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Actually that sounds pretty fun too! 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

I'm not qualified to analyze this in detail, but I am an AFF student, and I can certainly say one aspect I found frustrating was the lack of canopy instruction in the first few jumps. "What do I do once I get the parachute open, it's square, stable and steerable, and I'm at 4,000 feet directly above my landing site?" "Um.. Fly around until you're at 1000 and then start your landing pattern." Argh. I'm planning on taking a canopy control class as soon as I'm done with AFF, and I've done well so far (reading articles here and on the manuf sites has given me things to practice, like rear riser control and flat turns), but the lack of guidance in this area feels 'wrong' at least to me. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Ok, I'm a newbie, just sort of starting to look around at gear for when I'm off student status. I'm a big boy (exit weight 210-215) so it looks like a search for used gear will take a while, can't hurt to start checking the options. Around here, the consensus is that the Spectre and Triathalon are both good novice canopies. I was wondering - the Spectre seems to be known for long snivels, and I don't know if I like that idea - can you reasonably pack one to make it open reasonably quick? Does the Triathalon snivel as much? What other good canopies should I be checking out? Now, of course I'm going to double-check all this with my instructors and see about getting rental/demo gear before I buy. (if I buy used, I don't feel good about demoing though - perhaps someone can comment on the ethics involved there). I'm probably looking for a 230 main (or maaaaybe a 210, depends on what my instructors say and how my canopy control class goes). TIA 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Hey, I can admit it. On my AFF1 I had a similar experience. I got the pull signal and for about a half second I looked at the other instructor. When HE pointed too, the light bulb went on and I started my pull. My AFF JM was already moving my arm around to my pilot chute by the time I got there, but I pulled on my own and passed. AFF1 was a lot to take in, even after a tandem. Glad to hear the original poster is doing well though. I just passed AFF5 myself. Now if I can only stop these slow turns... 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

I'd think as long as it won't snag and there is good flexibility so you can get your head back when arching, it'd be fine. Protec makes a skydiving helmet as well that looks like good protection too. I was contemplating just putting some nice closed-cell foam rubber in a skydiving helmet, but your way is cheaper. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Do you think the tunnel in Las Vegas would be worth a trip from So Cal for a beginner? It'd be a nice way to get a lot of freefall practice, if their coaching is any good, without having to wait until the Elsinore/Perris facilities are built at the end of 2003. Anyone try it? 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Some people have problems with this, others don't seem to. The foam earplugs seem less likely to cause problems from what I've heard, although I've been taking mine out just before exiting, to be on the safe side. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

He even got his own custom-made one-of-a-kind(almost) altimeter. Pics here. http://www.alti-2.com/alti-bush.htm 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

Good grief! I bet it's uncomfortable - sound that loud can cause permanent hearing loss in minutes. I hope you're not getting long-term exposure and you're wearing good earplugs! I'm very sensitive about my hearing because I developed tinnitus as a result of being too close to a howitzer firing when I was in Army Artillery school. Since then I'm kind of hyper-sensitive about protecting my hearing. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

If you want to stock up, this is where I get them: http://www.labsafety.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=63 They have all kinds, including the Howard Leight MAX and QUIET (discussed here). Cheers! 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

That's a good idea; I'd certainly buy it. But it's a lot of work to publish a book, and it still gives advice to RWI's competitors. I'm still a student, but when it comes time to buy my rig you can bet that the V3M will be right at the top of the list, no question about it. Reading Bill's posts here about pilot chutes, BOC materials, and even the engineering behind the skyhook have me convinced. Disclaimer: I'm sure there are other reputable manufacturers making high quality gear as well, but they haven't impressed me the way Bill has. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth